Of course to stay in this little box is impossible, and--"

She had been contemplating him, her eyes dancing with amusement.

"You've taken it!" she accused him.

"Well--I--yes," he admitted, a little red.

She laughed.

"I knew it," she said. "When can we move in? I want to get started."




IX


Keith's first plunge into the teeming life of the place had to suffice him
for all the rest of that week. There seemed so many pressing things to do
at home. The Boyle house was only partly furnished. Each morning he and Nan
went downtown and prospected for things needed. This was Nan's first
experience of the sort; and she confessed to a ludicrous surprise over the
fact that pots, pans, brooms, kitchen utensils, and such homely matters had
to be thought of and bought.

"I had a sort of notion they grew on the premises," she said.

Mrs. Sherwood gave them much valuable advice, particularly as to auctions.
In the Keiths limited experience auctions generally had meant cheap or